‘Opening Doors’ is an exciting ongoing project that is enabling us to bring our church building into line with our vision to be ‘a kingdom community welcoming all in Jesus’ name, growing together as his disciples and stepping out into God’s mission to all nations’.

This vision is rooted in God’s love for us and our desire to share this love in practical and creative ways, starting with our local neighbourhood. It happens firstly through the people God gives us. But it is also made possible thanks to a church building that combines old and new to marvellous effect.

Built in 1829 and situated prominantly on Addison Road, the St Barnabas church building has developed over time to provide a beautiful and flexible space for worship, alongside the many activities aimed at children and youth, serving those in need, valuing music and the arts, celebrating cultural diversity. It is a wonderful asset for the whole local community.

However, practical aspects of the building have prevented us from using it to its full potential: the steps are a barrier to many, our heating is costly and outdated, and our historic organ was in urgent need of repair. 

This building project is our response to this urgent need.

It includes step-free access to the church, a rebuilt organ and new energy-efficient heating. Once completed, these much-anticipated works will release our building to be used to its full potential for both worship and witness.

This is why we have entitled the project ‘Opening Doors’. It will enable us to open the doors of our building to all, but also the doors of opportunity to reach out to those around with the love of Jesus.

Access for all - COMPLETED!

This stage of the project was completed in April 2026. Our thanks to everyone who gave to enable this to come to fruition!

Through the new ramp, we are finally able to fulfill our deisre to open the doors to all, whatever ability or age.

New disabled toilets have also been installed.

We are planning at a later stage to install an internal lift down to the crypt meeting rooms, together with stair-lift into the Howard Hall.

Organ restoration - COMPLETED!

Work to rebuild our fine 1856 JW Walker pipe organ, which is part of the fabric of the church and is used for worship every week, was finally completed in October 2025.

The restoration is part of our wider vision to use music and the creative arts that have long defined our local neighbourhood as a springboard for mission. The work was undertaken by Nicholson Organ and included taking the organ apart and restoring it to its former glory, both in terms of sound and looks. A huge thank you to all who contributed to the cost of this renovation.

Below are some photos of the restoration process. To see more images, go to https://www.nicholsonorgans.co.uk/pf/kensington-st-barnabas/

Carbon-neutral Heating

This is our remaining challenge and will be done in two phases beginning in Autumn 2026.

We have a unique opportunity here to bring our church building into the 21st Century! The project gives an exciting opportunity to install heating in the church that is both more efficient and more respectful of the environment.

In stage one (Autumn 2026), radiators will be installed behind the pews and in the chancel. These will initially be powered by gas boiler.

In stage two, we will be adding raidators in the galleries and installing air source heat pumps to provide power for the whole heating system.

Thanks in particular to those who have provided grants towards this project: Olympia Charitable Trust; Benefact Trust; Beatrice Laing Trust; Matthews Wrightson Trust; National Lottery Community Fund; and C&G Trust.